Pulitzer Prize Photographs Gallery

Permanent | Level 1

“If it makes you laugh, if it makes you cry, if it rips out your heart, that’s a good picture.” — Eddie Adams, winner of the 1969 Pulitzer Prize for spot news photography

Photographers record the defining moments of our world and our time, capturing history through timeless images of fleeting moments. With the click of a button, vivid imagery documents the pain of poverty, the ecstasy of victory and the triumph of redemption.

This gallery — a visitor favorite — features the most comprehensive collection of Pulitzer Prize-winning photographs ever assembled, including photographs from every Pulitzer Prize-winning entry since 1942, when the award was first presented. The gallery is updated each year when new winners are announced in April.

Interactive touch screens in the gallery display more than 1,000 images and 15 hours of video and audio compiled from interviews with the prize-winning photographers.

Warning: Some material in this exhibit may be too intense for young children.

Newseum App

Dive deeper into some of the Pulitzer Prize’s memorable photographs using the Newseum’s free app, featuring interviews with the photographers and milestone moments.

Photo Gallery

“Chiapas Racers” — 2003 Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography. Photojournalist Don Bartletti documented the desperate migration of Central American children searching for parents who had immigrated to the United States. (Don Bartletti/Los Angeles Times)

Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal captured the most enduring image of World War II when U.S. Marines planted a flag atop Mount Suribachi, a volcanic peak on the southern tip of the island of Iwo Jima, during one of the bloodiest battles of the war. It won the 1945 Pulitzer Prize. (Joe Rosenthal/The Associated Press)

“Olympics in Los Angeles” — 1985 Pulitzer Prize for Spot News Photography. Rick Rickman, Hal Stoelzle and Brian Smith of The Orange County Register pulled out all the stops to capture scenes from their hometown Olympics, including this shot of U.S. swimmer Rowdy Gaines after winning a gold medal. (Hal Stoelzle/The Orange County Register)